Growing up, Gloria Trevi’s song “Pelo Suelto” was always a welcome tune on the car’s radio or the perfect rewind-and-play-at-least-three-times-in-a-row kind of song on my boombox (remember cassettes?!). At that time it felt like such a loud and rebellious song. Pelo suelto means loose hair… in a very literal way. In a more contextual way, this song talks about letting your hair down and being who you are without worrying about what others think (or even what your own little Debbie Downer voice says).
This song is from Trevi’s second album, Ángel de la Guarda, that was launched in 1990. Ángel de la Guarda means Guardian Angel, however as the title of this album it was used more as an idiomatic expression for condom. (The more you know, people!) “Pelo Suelto” reached number #1 on the charts in 1990 in Latin America and Spain.
Gloria Trevi was born Gloria de los Ángeles Treviño Ruiz in Monterrey, Mexico and released her first solo album in 1989 called “¿Qué Hago Aquí?” (What am I Doing Here?). She started using her songs and videos as a vehicle to bust taboo topics and address political activism; touching on subjects like drug overdose, violence against women, religion and other topics. La Trevi was named “Supreme Diva of Mexican Pop” by VH1 and she has sold more than 20 million records.
Now, go hit play and get ready to undo that ponytail and unleash the 90s rebel in you.
